RIOJA LAN

Dubbed by Wine Spectator as “possibly the hottest old winery in Rioja”, Bodegas LAN is a consistent producer of top class Rioja, in both traditional and modern styles. Their winery is located in the heart of Rioja Alta and is named after the initials of the three provinces in Rioja: Logroño (now La Rioja), Álava and Navarra. Their painstaking attention to detail in the vineyard as well as their complex oak ageing system are major factors in LAN’s continued success. The style here departs from the norm in Rioja in that there is some amelioration of the use of American oak by the incorporation of varying amounts of French oak – finer grained and less imparting of the rather sweet, coconutty characteristics so often found in Riojas. These are taught, well structured, serious wines. The Crianza and Reserva are the firm’s most important and benchmark wines, the Crianza accounting alone for some 50% of the total sales. The Crianza is marked by bright, fresh cherry and light spice aromas and a generous yet delicate, savoury character. It works well with pasta, cold meats and cheeses, whilst the 2007 Reserva is drinking beautifully, with a fine-grained richness and notably more breed than many in the category, with mellow notes of spice and tobacco. Viña Lanciano comes from 40 to 60 year old vines grown on LAN’s stunning 72 hectare estate vineyard, situated on a spectacular curve in the river Ebro. This is the most delicate and fragrant wine of the range, and a personal favourite.

“There are no second rate wines at LAN”. John Radford, The Wines of Rioja